"Now that I think about it, it was really foolish. I gave everything for my mother, but in the end, I was betrayed by her child. Even the support I relied on was taken away. And then you, someone who appeared out of nowhere, took control. What a complete failure."
"There's nothing we can do about it. After all, you're just a newborn. So, do you resent your mother for this?"
"How could I? I would never betray the mother who created me. As you said, I'm different from you. I'm not ungrateful."
"Ungrateful?... I can't deny that. But you have to admit, she is quite captivating, isn't she?"
"Maybe, but she never smiles at me the way she does with you."
"Heh… Well, I wouldn't be able to laugh either if someone had blown off half my body. It's just a minor issue; I wanted to confirm something... Next, I need to deal with your mother, alright?"
"...I see. Are you afraid I'll mess things up at the crucial moment?"
"It's better to minimize risks. So, what's your answer?"
"...I'm exhausted. I'll leave the rest to you."
"Thank you. I do feel a bit sorry. Although I later gathered my own will, the impact on you couldn't be undone. Otherwise, you might not have made this choice, right?"
"Who knows? I can only say that my mother chose the wrong vessel..."
"Yes, whether it's the gods or your mother, they both made the wrong choice in the end..."
───────────────────────────────
The breaking of Caliburn was inevitable.
Unlike Excalibur, the sword of promised victory, Caliburn is ultimately a man-made object, more of a ceremonial sword that cannot withstand immense power.
Not to mention, the Sword in the Stone itself carries a legacy of inevitable destruction, making this sword more fragile in its fantasy form.
Just like Medea, who was destined to be destroyed after shining her brightest.
However, even though the Sword of Victory magnified their chances of success to the highest point, now is not the time to relax.
Tiamat is still recovering at an alarming speed.
"Ophis?"
Ereshkigal's anxious voice echoed from the dark mirror.
"Can you hold on for another two hours?"
"Two hours..."
Ophis touched her chin and took a few steps forward.
Altera was half-kneeling on the ground, gasping for breath—she wouldn't be able to fight again for a while.
Lily's magical energy was also temporarily exhausted. Even if she had any other weapons besides the holy sword, she couldn't use them at the moment.
As for Mash, she might be able to hold out for a while, but definitely not for long.
Are the remaining three Servants truly helpless?
Then, she would have to do it herself.
Ophis was indeed seriously injured, corroded by Tiamat's power... but that was all.
Until her body completely collapses, such erosion won't affect her beyond causing severe pain.
Her infinity had been destroyed, but that was all.
However, it was possible to make up for it with concentrated calculations and the blessing of mythical equipment.
Using force would accelerate the erosion, but that's all.
It just meant dying one more time, that's all.
The red divine patterns appeared on Ophis's black robe again, emitting a faint glow. She snapped her fingers lightly.
Countless chains made of purple magic shot out from all over Uruk, wrapping around the still-recovering Tiamat, binding her layer by layer until she was encased in a massive ball of chains.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaa—─"
But not long after, the chain ball began to vibrate, and Tiamat's roar echoed from within.
Ophis remained unfazed and raised her hand, squeezing it slightly.
Magical energy quickly gathered and condensed into three spheres above Ophis. They kept growing larger until each one was about fifteen meters in diameter.
Finally, Ophis grasped them, compressing them into the size of a tennis ball, and then joined them together in a triangular formation, with lightning-like ripples emanating from the contact points.
A semi-permanent turret, formed by a specific energy arrangement and Ophis's own concept of infinity. She could only create one of these now.
Though it was unstable and couldn't be used as an energy source, its power was unmatched...
"Aaaaaaaaaaa—─"
As Tiamat roared, the magical chains shattered in an instant, and Tiamat, now fully recovered, strode forward.
Biu───
Almost simultaneously, a flash of purple lightning cut across, severing a large chunk of Tiamat's right shoulder.
"Amazing!"
Ritsuka stared in shock at the three spheres that had just unleashed the lightning.
They possessed incredible penetrating power and lightning-fast speed. Although slower than Tiamat's beam, they were formidable sniper weapons.
Unfortunately, such attacks did little to slow Tiamat down.
In just half a second, Tiamat's wounds were fully healed, and she continued forward without missing a step.
"Should I spend a little more?"
Ophis exhaled, unsurprised.
Golden ripples enveloped Uruk, and tens of thousands of weapons revealed their deadly edges.
"So..."
Ophis raised her hand, ready to swing it down, but at that moment...
Puff--
The golden ripples dissipated.
Everyone was stunned.
Ophis glanced downward, slightly startled.
Two spears—one pierced through her heart, already wounded by Tiamat, and the other struck her chest, creating a new scar.
Then, powerful and aggressive energy surged into her body.
When she had infinity, this level of damage would have been insignificant. Even without it, if she weren't already injured, Ophis could have responded. But now, with her severe injuries, such an attack was like the last straw.
Ophis turned her head with difficulty and looked back.
The two temple guards had made forward stabbing motions with expressionless faces, while the others stared in shock for a moment.
But within half a second, everyone reacted. The other six temple guards closest to the scene moved quickly, raising their spears to attack the two traitors, but were blown away by a violent explosion in the next instant.
At the top of the temple, two massive pillars, covered in eyes, loomed over the sky.
"Demon Pillars?!"
Ritsuka exclaimed in surprise.
Ophis narrowed her eyes.
She was certain these two demon pillars did not originally exist in this time and space.
She had found opportunities to ask Ritsuka for information about the previous Singularities, but it seemed that the mastermind behind everything had never intervened personally.
Now it seems that has changed.
Is it because my existence is beyond their control...
I should have realized this earlier, ever since Kingu revealed his plans for this era...
"Wu—"
The Demon Pillars, more repulsive than Lahmu, made a strange sound, and countless tentacles surged towards Ophis.
It's a pity they don't know her well enough...
Normally, being stabbed wouldn't have angered Ophis much, but this underhanded method, combined with her broken infinity and the spear wounds, reminded her of a certain traitor named Cao from the future.
Taking all these factors into account, she was a little angry.
Since you want to play, let's play...
Ophis smirked and ceased suppressing the foreign energy rampaging through her body.
Then, violent magical energy erupted, turning into a purple airflow that exploded.
Everyone felt suffocated, and the buildings and ground within a hundred meters began to crack under the immense pressure.
The tentacles of the Demon Pillar were blasted away.
In the next instant, a streak of purple light flashed by, leaving a gaping hole in the side of one of the Demon Pillars. The three-ball turret appeared behind the Demon Pillar, clearly the source of the streak of light.
Then, a purple torrent burst forth, slicing the Demon Pillar in two.
Ophis was ready, and with a simple motion, she clenched her fist.
In the blink of an eye, Ophis and the Demon Pillar vanished, reappearing in front of Tiamat.
Ophis slowly floated away from the center of the regenerating Demon Pillar and the advancing Tiamat, then turned to face the three threats.
"Did you really think you could 'completely' kill me with that level of preparation? It seems you underestimated me. Although I do have to die a bit this time, it won't harm me. But overall, your actions have made me very unhappy. Very unhappy."
After addressing the Demon Pillar—or perhaps the force behind it—Ophis turned her gaze to Tiamat.
The Mother Goddess of Creation, though now a monstrous bringer of disaster, was, in truth, a victim.
In this world, she was exiled because she was 'no longer needed.'
Of course, this was also due to her overwhelming power, which could easily disrupt the entire ecosystem, but it didn't change her status as a victim.
Simply put, because she was a hidden threat, she was cast aside.
"Although you are not wrong, I also have my own position, so please slow down."
Ophis hadn't originally intended to unleash her full strength.
Initially, she had some concerns—the sooner she died, the more uncontrollable factors would arise. Naturally, she wanted to hold on longer, so she had been conserving her strength to suppress her injuries.
But now, since others have forced her hand, she has no choice.
Golden ripples illuminated Uruk once again.
So, next...
"With my determination, I will stain the earth!"